Best Boutique Hotels in Spain

Set in a 19th-century UNESCO-protected palace building (that previously served as a sugar magnate’s mansion), the hotel has its own garden and an Arabian-style Bodyna Spa, creating a sense of an oasis in the bustling city. While the decor is minimalist in many areas, it has retained lots of grand original features like mosaic floors and stucco ceilings, blending cutting-edge design and a monochrome palette with heritage. 42 bedrooms are spread between the old building and a contemporary glass-walled wing. Taking advantage of its location in an artsy neighbourhood, Hospes Palacio de Los Patos often hosts live music and poetry readings.

Located in a former 19th-century palace, Can Alomar preserves much of the elegance of the original building. A lesson in understated style and luxury, the hotel combines the splendour and space of a palace with contemporary furnishings and finishes. With only 16 rooms which include 9 suites, this hotel is truly boutique in size. Décor is sophisticated and discreet – walls are painted in neutral tones, adorned with modern art, and textiles are kept sumptuous and luxurious. We adore the discreet but attentive luxury concierge, whilst the plunge pool and solarium on the roof is an ideal spot for chilling out with views of the cathedral and bay of Palma. There is even a charming tower at the top of the hotel available for private massages and celebrations. Dinner takes place in the stylish De Tokia a Lima restaurant, serving up a creative and unique selection of Mediterranean, Peruvian and Japanese gastronomy either in a relaxed brasserie-like interior or on the tranquil terrace overlooking the Paseo del Borne.

The Mercer Barcelona is an oasis of calm in the heart of the Gothic quarter of Barcelona. It’s housed in a building with architectural styles ranging from Roman times to the present day and finished with contemporary sympathetic features. Two restaurants and a rooftop plunge pool make this a perfect hotel for a weekend shopping and sightseeing break. Service is unpretentious and polished and rooms are set around a quiet breakfast patio.

Finca Serena offers a refined escape to authentic Mallorca, set on a 40-hectare estate of vineyards, olive groves and rolling countryside near the village of Montuïri. This 25-room boutique resort combines traditional architecture with contemporary design and sophisticated hospitality. Dine at Jacaranda Restaurant on estate-grown produce, unwind at Único Spa (Spain’s Best Resort Spa 2024), and explore walking trails through vineyards. Just 30 minutes from the airport on quiet rural roads.

With its concept deeply rooted in the island’s culture, S’hotelet Des Born is centrally located in Ciutadella de Menorca, close to the infamous Plaza del Borne, found on Menorca’s stunning south eastern coast. Exquisitely designed, this five-star hotel truly is a sophisticated sanctuary. Enjoy the spacious rooms, nearby restaurants and spa. The Thalis Spa, built in an ancient cave forming part of the hotel’s basement, provides a peaceful oasis in which to relax and replenish.

Stay on the Gran Via just a 12-minute walk from the Prado Museum, where sun-drenched landscaped terraces, stunning views, a wellness centre, delectable cocktails and intuitive cuisine await. This characterful hotel, part of the international and chic Principal chain, has 76 bright and airy rooms including whirlpool tubs, designed to make you feel right at home. The colour palette mixes neutrals, with darker shades and accents of rich colour in the public areas. Tuck into haute cuisine in the destination restaurant and sip cocktails from a lounger on the roof, with panoramic views of the region.

The bold hotel El Llorenç, Parc de la Mar in Palma’s historic Calatrava neighbourhood adds style and sparkle to the area. This unique design hotel has superb interiors and guestrooms by Swedish designer, Magnus Ehrland; destination dining by acclaimed and self-assured Mallorca chef Santi Taura; a luxe spa; and a truly wow-factor triple-level roof terrace with an infinite pool that elevates the hotel design to new heights. This latest opening confirms Palma as the Mediterranean’s hip hotel hot spot.

Specifically designed for grown-ups, this no kids allowed hotel on Marbella’s ‘Golden Mile’ is perfect for the socialites amongst us. Located just minutes from the beach and the turquoise waters of The Mediterranean, Nobu Hotel Marbella offers the best of luxury beach club life. Public spaces feature a lot of clean dark wood that looks elegant and contemporary, whilst rooms are neutral, calming spaces. They are a modern take on ryokan-style interiors with natural wood and wicker furnishings with flashes of delight coming from jazzy art pieces and interesting lighting fixtures. Many have terraces overlooking La Plaza. The Nobu Hotel Marbella has a ground-sharing partnership with the Puente Romano Beach Resort (see above) and so you can expect the same lush and verdant plants dotted about the place and also an abundance of facilities. It couldn’t be named Nobu Hotel Marbella without the presence of its namesake. Nobu Hotel Marbella offers guests that chance to savour Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dishes plus special Andalusian-Japanese fusions. Guests at Nobu Hotel Marbella can enjoy 24/7 in-room dining from the restaurant, plus priority access to Nobu and La Suite, Marbella’s most exclusive club. Spend the day relaxing by the pool, whilst the night the volume is turned up and the party really begins.

Just off Passeig de Gràcia, a stone’s throw from Gaudí’s Casa Milà and close to Avinguda Diagonal, home to most of Barcelona’s designer boutiques, sits Barcelona’s the Sir Victor Hotel. Its ever-evolving design has kept its cutting edge since it opened in 2003 and the hotel’s restaurant Moo is one of Barcelona’s best. The communal areas are a work of art, with the 91 rooms taking a crisp and fresh design and featuring original artworks, Bose sound systems, Nespresso machines and rainfall showers The hotel’s rooftop terrace and plunge swimming pool are the pinnacles of urban living.

The traditional Majorcan patio with magnificent arches and lush plants welcomes you to the Can Cera hotel. The layout of this hotel hints to its past as a family home and although the building has been renovated, there are still plenty of original features. There are lots of common spaces in the hotel including the Recibidor meeting room, the intimate Salon Dorado, the comfortable Bibliotecca or reading room, and the top floor Terraza with views over the old city rooves. With only 14 rooms this hotel is small and elegant. The rooms are spacious and bright with traditional Majorcan influences. French doors lead out onto Juliette balconies and the bathrooms are simple and modern in muted tones. Each room has a different character much like the rooms of a house, adding to the feeling of comfortable luxury. The hotel is also home to a spa which includes a Finnish sauna, Hamman sauna and a Jacuzzi.

Encapsulating the image of Baleriac bliss, Ca Na Xica is a vision of secluded loveliness. Drawing its inspiration from the heart of historic Ibiza, Ca Na Xica is set apart from the bustle of Ibizan nightlife in the sanctuary of the countryside. Ca Na Xica has a tick for every box, meaning that the hotel provides a one-stop retreat for those who want to do nothing more than relax. A particular architectural theme of the hotel is to blend the indoors with nature, which is achieved by open glass panels and quiet enclaves, allowing the natural sounds and scents to flood the lightly enclosed spaces.

The Lodge Mallorca offers that rare and perfect balance – a serene retreat that still embraces discovery and adventure. This boutique sanctuary, with signature lavender fields, in the UNESCO-protected Sierra de Tramuntana welcomes guests with elegantly appointed suites, between the historic farmhouse and standalone buildings across the 157-hectare estate. Days unfold at your preferred pace – perhaps lounging by the stylish infinity pool, indulging in fire-cooked Mediterranean cuisine at ‘Singular’ restaurant, rejuvenating in the wellness area with its pool and wooden barrel sauna, or exploring over 20km of private trails.